Introduction to Medical Device Reprocessing Flashcards
6 cards from real MDRAO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Introduction to Medical Device Reprocessing flashcards as text
What is the primary role of the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) in a healthcare facility?
Answer: To clean, inspect, package, sterilize, and distribute reusable medical devices throughout the healthcare facility to support safe patient care
The CSSD is responsible for the full reprocessing cycle of reusable medical instruments — from receiving soiled instruments through decontamination, inspection, packaging, sterilization, and distribution to clinical areas.
What professional certification is available for Medical Device Reprocessing technicians in Ontario?
Answer: Medical Device Reprocessing Technician (MDRT) certification through the Medical Device Reprocessing Association of Ontario (MDRAO)
MDRAO offers the MDRT certification program for sterile processing technicians in Ontario, providing standardized training, examination, and professional recognition for the Medical Device Reprocessing field.
CSA Z314 is the primary Canadian standard governing medical device reprocessing. Which organization develops and maintains this standard?
Answer: The Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) with input from healthcare stakeholders
CSA Z314 is developed and maintained by the CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association) with contributions from healthcare professionals, infection control practitioners, and industry stakeholders.
What does the term 'validated process' mean in the context of sterilization, and why is validation important?
Answer: A process that has been documented, tested, and proven to consistently achieve the required outcome (sterilization) under defined conditions using reproducible methodology
Validation establishes documented evidence that a sterilization process reliably achieves SAL 10⁻⁶ under defined loading conditions — providing the scientific basis for confidence that sterile items are truly sterile.
Why is the physical design of the CSSD (zoning) important for infection prevention?
Answer: CSSD design creates physical barriers between contaminated (decontamination) and clean (preparation/sterilization/storage) zones — preventing cross-contamination and ensuring unidirectional instrument flow from dirty to sterile
CSSD zoning creates physical barriers and unidirectional workflow between dirty and clean areas — preventing cross-contamination of processed instruments, a fundamental patient safety measure.
In the context of Ontario healthcare regulation, which document provides the primary best practice guidance for healthcare facility reprocessing practices?
Answer: Ontario PIDAC's 'Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization in All Health Care Settings'
Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) publishes the primary best practice guidance for reprocessing in Ontario healthcare facilities, which is used alongside CSA Z314 as the foundation for facility policies.